tattoo

Meaning

Noun

1. An image made on a body part, usually the skin with ink and a needle.
2. A method of decorating a body part, usually the skin, by inserting colored substances under the surface with a sharp instrument (usually a solenoid-driven needle).

Verb

1. To apply a tattoo to (someone or something).
2. To hit the ball hard, as if to figuratively leave a tattoo on the ball.

Verb

To tap rhythmically on, to drum.

Synonyms

tattooing

carve

cut

engrave

tatu

incise

incision

design

tatt

inlay

pony

puncture

scarification

spots

stigmatize

stripes

symbol

taps

tat

write

✍️

bugle call

paint

adornment

decorate

emblem

incisions

mark

markings

mole

ornament

adorn

Translations

tatouage

tatouer

tatuaje

Tätowierung

tatuaggio

tatuagem

وشم

tatuare

tätowieren

tatuar

taptoe

tatuatge

tatuar

dövme

Pronounced as (IPA)

/tæˈtuː/

Etymology

Cognate with Samoan: tatau

In summary

From earlier tattaow, tattow, a borrowing from a Polynesian language, e.g. Samoan tatau (“tattoo; to tap, to strike”).